Groups opposed to the proposed coalition between the Conservatives and the Democratic Unionist Party staged a protest in Bangor last night.

Organisers said the event was to make a stand in unity for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community, women, Irish speakers and refugees, with a broader message of uniting in favour of an open community without prejudice and hatred.

More than 100 people joined the hour-long event, with many carrying placards critical of the proposed link-up between the Tories and the DUP after the General Election resulted in a hung parliament.

One placard said “Don’t be Duped”, while another simply said “Diversity is Strength”.

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Event spokeswoman Maia Jones said: “We’ve organised this protest in reaction to the feeling of fear and shock after the General Election and the prospect of a coalition agreement between the Conservative party and the right-wing extremists the DUP.

“We want to send a powerful message to Westminster that the DUP – a homophobic, climate-change denying, anti-choice party – has no place in our modern and open democracy here in the UK.

“The coalition of chaos and hatred will be a threat to us all.”

Arfon Plaid Cymru MP Hywel Williams, who addressed the crowd, said the DUP should have no hand in the government of countries outside Northern Ireland.